Typographic composing machines



A. LAWLESS TYPOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINES Dec. 15, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet.- 1

Filed April 17, 1962 I/VVEN TOR. ALBERT LAWLESS 9 Dec. 15, 1964 A. LAWLESS TYPOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1962 INVENTOK. A LBER r Lnwuss BY% Dec. 15, 1964 A. LAWLESS 3,161,287

TYPOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINES Filed April 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q FIG.3

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JAIME/Won. ALBERT LAwLEss BY WZZQQ A TTORNE Y Dec. 15, 1964 A. LAWLESS 3,161,237

TYPOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINES Filed April 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 (MUM INVENTOR. ALBERT LAWLESS Dec. 15, 1964 A. LAWLESS 3,161,287

TYFOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINES Filed April 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG] INVENTOK ALBERT LAWLESS AT may 3,161,237 TYPOGRAPHEQ EOMPUSENG MACHHNES Albert Lawless, Warrington, Engiand, assignor to Lanetype and Machinery Limited, London, England, a

British company Fiied Apr. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 188,014 Claims priority, application Great Britain Apr. 17, 1961 5 Claims. (C1, 199--5tl) The present invention relates to typographic composing machines of the kind in which matrices are selectively released by depression of keys on a keyboard, assembled in a line, are held between vice jaws, and have cast from the matrices a metal slug, the matrices subsequently being distributed back to a magazine from whence they came. Such a machine is the kind referred to. The keys ma be manually operated or the matrices selectively released by mechanism which is controlled by coded tape.

In such known machines there may be provided quadding devices enabling the operator of the machine to quad left, quad right or centre by the selective actuation of cam operated mechanism, whereby one, or both, of the vice jaws of the machine which assist in the location and holding of the assembled line of matrices during the casting of a slug will be moved prior to casting to effect the requisite quadding position. The cam operating the quadding device is of substantially thistle shaped configuration comprising an arcuate cam track extending through approximately 180 degrees, the ends of the cam track merging into straight line cam tracks which in turn merge with another arcuate cam track, of greater radius from the cam centre of rotation than the first arcuate cam track, and extending through approximately 115 degrees.

A cam follower transmits, through linkage, the necessary movement, imparted by the cam, to efi ect selected movement of the vice jaw or jaws whereby the machine will quad left or quad right or centre.

The profiling of the cam is such that when the cam has rotated to a position such that the cam follower has just left the larger radius cam track and is on a straight cam track, quadding or centring has been completed and pressure has been released from the vice jaws in anticipation of the line of matrices being removed, by a first elevator, for subsequent distribution.

An object of the present invention is to provide means whereby a positive wiping action will take place between the vice jaws and the end matrices of a line of matrices to prevent metal build up on the vice jaws, not only when quadding or centring operations have been eifected, but when the machine is casting justified, regular, lines.

Another object of the present invention is to combine short line casting prevention means with one of the vice jaws exerting the wiping action, such means allowing the presentation of a fiat face to the end matrix of an assembledline in place of the known plunger projecting from the jaw face.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vice jaw for a typographical composing machine of the kind referred to, the vice jaw being capable of exerting resilient pressure on an assembled line of matrices as they are lifted from between the vice jaws of the typographical composing machine.

Also the invention consists in a vice jaw for a typographical composing machine of the kind referred to wherein the vice jaw is in t '0 separate portions, one, first, portion, being secured in known manner to the typographical composing machine, and the other, second, portion being capable of limited movement relative to the first portion.

Likewise the invention consists in a vice jaw for a United States Patent 0 ,lhiih? Patented Dec. 15, 1954 typographical composing machine of the kind referred to wherein the vice jaw is composed of two portions, one portion being capable of sliding relatively to the other and being resiliently urged in one direction within set limits.

Also according to the present invention, a typographical composing machine of the kind referred to, equipped for quadding and centring operations includes a vice jaw capable of exerting a resilient pressureon an assembled line of matrices as they are lifted from the vice jaws and a quadding cam, the profile of which imparts to a vice jaw, through linkage, a small movement of the vice jaw towards the line of matrices as they are lifted from between the vice jaws.

When a quadding and centring attachment is fitted, the quadding cam is of the thistle head configuration hereinbefore referred to, but is so modified as to provide a cam track, maintaining vice jaw pressure through the appropriate linkage until the line of matrices is lifted from the vice jaws for distribution.

In the accompanying drawings, which show an example of typographical composing machine according to the present invention;

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation showing the vice frame, vice jaws and quadding control linkage,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation showing the quadding cam and linkage for efiecting quadding,

FIGURE 3 is a front perspective view showing quadding selection mechanism,

FIGURE 4 is a rear detail view of the vice jaws and justification head: the quadding linkage has been omitted for the sake of clarity,

FIGURES 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show the quadding control in various selected control positions,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the pot pump lever safety stop, and

FIGURE 7 is an exploded jaw.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 7, the left hand vice jaw, FIGURE 4, generally designated 1, is made in two major portions, a body portion, generally designated 2, and a head portion, generally designated 3. The head portion 3 is carried by, but can slide relatively to, the body portion; the body portion is carried by the vice frame 4 in known manner.

The body portion 2, has a slot 5 positioned centrally along its inner face. The head portion 3 is in the form of a T turned through 90, the shank portion 6 sliding in the slot 5 in the body portion, and the cross piece 7 having a face 8 which will abut against the end matrix of an assembled line of matrices and spacebands, generally designated 9.

The combined cross piece and shank of the head are long enough and wide enough to cast blank slugs against if the vice jaw is moved fully to the left, FIGURE 4; that is, there are no matrices between the vice jaws, and the slug to be cast is the maximum length within the capacity of the machine.

Extending from the end of the shank 6, parallel with the slot 5 is a spindle 10, which extends through a hole perspective view of a vice 11 in the end wall of the slot. A compression spring 12 encircles the spindle and bears at one end against the end wall of the slot, and at the other end against the end face of the shank, resiliently urging the head away from the end of the slot, that is, to the left, FIGURE 4.

The degree of relative movement between the head and body portions is preset by a pin 13 (or pins) in the head portion passing through a slot 14 (or slots) in the body portion, the length of the (or each) slot being such that a small gap 15, exists between the end face of the cross piece '7 of the T and the end face of the body portion when the vice, jaw is in an inoperative position, as shown in FIGURE 6. I

Thespindle from the shank, passing through the end wall of the slot in the body portion, is utilised for closing a microswitch 16 actuating a short line casting prevention device.

Assuming that the machine is casting justified lines of set length, the sequence of operations follows the well known steps. The first elevator 22, only part of which is shown in FIGURE 4, lowers the assembled line of matrices and spacebands between the vice jaws, whose Width setting at-this stage is slightly greater than the line length required. A cam controlled justification lever then lifts and allows a spring 17 to pull up a vice jaw wedge 18, moving in the right hand, vice jaw (FIGURE 4), A justification bar 19 is then allowed to rise under strong spring action and abuts against the wedges of the spacebands, so that the spacebands exert their wedge action to spread the assembled matrices to form ajustificd line. In this first justification the justification barrises at an angle so that the line of matricesis spread towards the right hand vice jaw, FIGURE 4.

ment will be arrested, and no pump action ..will take place.

If the solenoid 23 is energised, then the arm 28 will be swung out of the way of the descending abutment 35 and an operative pump stroke will be effected.

When a casting action hastaken place, the assembled line of matrices is lifted from between the vice jaws by the first elevator for subsequent distribution to the magazine in the well klIlOWll manner.

The resilient mounting of the head portion 3 on the body portion 2 of the vice jaw ensures that, as the jaws release their locking action subsequent to casting, the slight give between head and body portions will maintain a resilient pressure on the line of matrices, resulting in an effective wiping action between the jaw faces and the end matrices as the matrices are lifted from between the vice jaws. I

When his desired that the typographical composing machine be capableof quadding operations the mechamism shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 is fitted to themachine. v

This mechanism will only briefly be described as, with the exception of the quadding cam and vice jaws, it is wedges of the spacebandsandlocking up the line of matrices tightly for the line to be cast.

Movements of the justification bar are controlled by cams, not shown, acting, through cam followers, not shown, to allow strong springs to lift two levers, not hown, connected to justification rods 20, 21 to which the justification bar is connected. The pressure applied .to

the spacebands by the justification head is therefore that of the springs, it is'not positively applied by the cams.

A pin 26 depending from the armature of the solenoid abuts against an abutment bracket 27, when the solenoid is energised, and swings an arm 28, to which the abutment bracket is secured, about a screw 29 pivotally mounting the arm to a bracket 30 secured to the frame of the machine. I

When the. solenoid 23 is de-energised, the arm 28 is swung about the screw 29 by a tension spring 31, one end 7 of which is anchored to an ear, not shown, on the arm 28 adjacent the screw, 29. The other end of the spring is anchored to a stud 32 screwed into the bracket 30. The action of the spring pulls the arm 28 to abut against a pin 33 screwed into the bracket 30. I

When the arm 28 is abutting against the pin 33, an abutment surface 34, integrally formed with the arm, will 'be in the downward path of travel'of an abutment 35 secured to a pot pump lever 36. As in known machines,

a metal pot plunger rod.37 is held in the bifurcated end of the pot pump lever 36 by a pin 38.

The pot pump lever 36 is cam' controlled, the profile of the cam allowing the pot pump lever 36 to descend under strong spring action so that pot plunger rod 37 makes an operative stroke in the metal pot 39 to force metal against the assembled line of matrices in the known a manner.

If the solenoid 23 is not energised, as when for example, the assembled line of matrices is too short of the line length set for the vice jaws, with the consequential ment surface 34 will remainin the downward path of travel of the abutment 35, and further downward movepossibility of metal squirting between the loose matrices should the operative cycle becompleted, then the abutwell known. 7 r v Referring to FIGURE 2, a quadding cam generally designated 40 imparts, through a cam roller 41, motion 7 to a vice jaw cam lever 42 against the action of a compression spring 62, tending to swing the vice jaw cam lever 42 clockwise, FIGUREZ.

The vice jaw cam lever 42 is fulcrumed on a shaft 43, having at its forward end a latch 44 controlled by a solenoid 45, which can be energised to withdraw the latch, when a regular, not quadded,. line is to be cast, to disconnect quadding lever movements imparted by the cam.

A vice jaw control rod lever 46 transmits movement, when latched to the vice jaw cam lever 42, to a vice jaw control rod 47, which has, at its upper end a track 49 with a segmental top collar 50.

The vice jaw control rod can be rotated by means of a lever 51 secured to a rod 52 to the end of which is secured a segment, 62, FIGURE 3, meshing with a toothed wheel 63.

Selective movement of the lever 51.rotates the rod 46, and hence the top collar into one of the positions shown in FIGURES 5a to 5d.

The left hand vice jaw land right hand vice jaw 53 (FIGURE 1) are carried by vice .jaw blocks 5.4,"55 respectively, and to these blocks are pivotally connected lever links 56 to which, in turn are connected vice jaw operating levers 57, 58.

The vice jaw operating levers'57, 58 are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 59 on-the vice frame 4.

Each vice jaw operating lever 57, 58 has a small roller 60, 61- respectively, mounted at its inner end, and these'rollersengage in, the track 49., 7

During a quadding operation the vice jaw control rod 47 descends, and depending on the relative positions of rollers 60,. 61, and the open portions of the top collar 50, so the vice'jaws effect the appropriate quadding movement.

Referring to FIGURES 5a to 5d, in FIGURE 5a quad right has been set whereby the roller 60 is in a cut away portion of the collar 50 but the roller 61 is beneath the collar, so that as the vice jaw control rod 47 descends,

.it will leave the roller 60, but take roller 61 with it, resulting in the left hand vice jaw being moved inwardly collar 50 and neither will be moved when the rod 47 descends; this is the regular setting for producing justified lines of a set length.

As justification is not effected when quadding or centring, a justification cut out is shown in FIGURE 3.

Secured to the end of the rod 52 is a semi-circular plate 65 having notches 66 for selective engagement by a tooth 67 on a spring loaded arm 68 pivotally mounted on a latch lever 69. Cam 70 is secured to the semi-circular plate 65. A roller 75 is mounted on the latch lever 69.

A spring 71 resiliently urges the latch lever 69 anticlockwise, FIGURE 3, about a pivot screw 72.

A justification link '73, which extends between the justification rods 20, 21, has secured thereto a stop 74.

When the lever 51 is moved to select quadding or centring the roller 75 is not engaged by the cam 70 and hence the latch lever 69 swings so that the latch 76 is engaged by the stop 74 as the justification link rises, and the latch 76 prevents justification taking place. If regular setting is selected however, the arrangement is as shown in FIGURE 3, the cam 70 knocks the roller clockwise, FIGURE 3, removing the latch 76 from the path of the stop 74 so that the justification link can freely rise.

The quadding cam 40 is of the known substantially thistle shaped configuration hereinbefore mentioned, but is modified by reprofiling the straight line which, in the direction of rotation of the quadding cam, joins the arcuate track 77 of greater radius to the arcuate track 78 of lesser radius. The reprofiling consists of a shortened straight line track 79 and then an inclined track 80 from the peak of which the track arcuately falls away to merge with the arcuate track of lesser radius.

The effect of such reprofiling is that at the completion of a quadding casting operation (namely while the cam follower 41 has passed over the arcuate track 77 of greater radius) the vice jaws 1, 53, instead of relaxing their support on the line of assembled matrices, as in conventional machines as the quadding cam presents a straight line track to the cam follower, in preparation for the removal of the assembled line of matrices by the first elevator, maintains a predetermined pressure by the spring 12 in the vice jaw 1 on the matrices as the cam follower rides up the incline 80. The pressure thus imparted by the quadding cam is resiliently applied to the line of matrices through the spring loaded vice jaw.

A spring 81 is provided to resiliently urge the cam follower 41 of the vice jaw cam lever onto the quadding cam. The spring 81 is anchored, at one end 82, to the centre line of the axis of rotation of the quadding cam, and is anchored at the other end to the vice jaw cam lever.

What I claim is:

1. A vice mechanism for a typographical slug casting machine having a vicejaw' adjustably mounted to be set in accordance with the length slug to be cast, characterized in that said jaw comprises an adjustably mounted body member having a longitudinal slot provided therein, a jaw member having a head portion with a face that extends inwardly to the side of the vice jaw which is parallel to and adjacent the mold disk of the machine and a shank that fits into said slot for sliding movement therein, means for limiting the movement of said jaw member out of said body member, and resilient means for urging said jaw member towards its limiting position to resiliently clasp a line of matrices and spacebands as they are being removed from between said vice jaws after a casting operation whereby the vice jaws are wiped clean of any adhering metal.

2. A vice mechanism according to claim 1 including a vice jaw wedge which is actuated during a justification operation, and means engaged by said Wedge and connected to the vice jaw body member to move said body member to a pre-adjusted position, which is set in accordance with the length slug to be cast and wherein the limited projection of the head portion from said body member is less than or equal to the movement of the body member effected by the vice jaw wedge.

3. A vice mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal slot is an open slot formed in the side of said body member adjacent the mold disk of the machine and wherein the shank of said jaw member together with said body member and the side of the head portion of said jaw member forms a co-planar vice jaw surface adjacent the mold disk.

4. A vice mechanism according to claim 1 in combination with a quadding and centring mechanism having control means that, after a quadding operation, releases the clamping pressure on a line of matrices and spacebands but permits the head portion of said vice jaw to resiliently bear against the line.

5. A vice mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the control means is a quadding cam that is profiled to release line clamping pressure on a line of matrices and spacebands after a quadding operation but to maintain the head portion of the vice jaw in close proximity to the line so that said head resiliently bears against the line as it is removed from between the vice jaws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,243 Kennedy June 8, 1909 1,069,927 Degener Aug. 12, 1913 2,698,080 Hilpman Dec. 28, 1954 2,712,380 Turner July 5, 1955 

1. A VICE MECHANISM FOR A TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE HAVING A VICE JAW ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED TO BE SET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LENGTH SLUG TO BE CAST, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT SAID JAW COMPRISES AN ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED BODY MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT PROVIDED THERIN, A JAW MEMBER HAVING A HEAD PORTION WITH A FACE THAT EXTENDS INWARDLY TO THE SIDE OF THE VICE JAW WHICH IS PARALLEL TO AND ADJACENT THE MOLD DISK OF THE MACHINE AND A SHANK THAT FITS INTO SAID SLOT FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT THEREIN, MEANS FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID JAW MEMBER OUT OF SAID BODY MEMBER, AND RESILIENT MEANS FOR URGING SAID JAW MEMBER TOWARDS ITS LIMITING POSITION TO RESILIENTLY CLASP A LINE OF MATRICES AND SPACEBANDS AS THEY ARE BEING REMOVED FROM BETWEEN SAID VICE JAWS AFTER A CASTING OPERATION WHEREBY THE VICE JAWS ARE WIPED CLEAN OF ANY ADHERING METAL. 